Week 2: The Table of Welcome
By Rev. Mark Taylor, Minister of Faith Development
My daughters are in the throes of childhood busyness, and it’s only going to get worse. One has gymnastics practice at the same time the other has soccer practice. We’re getting ready for middle school while trying to keep up with homework and friends—and the list goes on. All of this, of course, on top of working and trying to take care of our home and two dogs.
When it comes to dinner time, more often than not, our meals are rushed, hurried, or multitasked—perhaps eaten while playing a game or watching a movie. In those hectic moments, my kids are still fed, no one goes hungry, and life moves forward. But let’s be honest, those aren’t the meals we remember or cherish. Those are not the meals that truly leave an impact.
But let me tell you about another kind of dinner that happens at our house—one that feels more like a dinner party. Sometimes, when we manage to carve out a little more breathing room, we approach the table with greater intention. It really doesn’t matter what we’re eating—it might be something carefully crafted with care or dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. What transforms that ordinary meal into something special is the simple act of lighting a candle.
There’s something about the gentle flicker of candlelight that shifts the atmosphere. It turns an ordinary table into a table of welcome. On these nights, we laugh a little more, listen a little closer, and meaningful conversations flow with ease. That small gesture of lighting a candle creates a sacred space—it signals an invitation to slow down, to be fully present, and to know we belong to each other.
In Matthew 9:9–13, Jesus does something similar when he shares a meal with tax collectors and sinners. He doesn’t just feed bodies; he welcomes souls. He creates space for people to be exactly who they are, to bring their whole selves, their full stories, their messy truths, and their complicated histories—and he meets them there with radical acceptance.
What if we envisioned every table as a place of welcome—where simply lighting a candle could remind us that Jesus meets us exactly where we are? Whether we share carry-out or homemade meals, God’s table is always a dinner party filled with acceptance, laughter, and genuine connection.
In these moments, may we practice the hospitality of Jesus—transforming ordinary tables into places of extraordinary welcome.
Prayer: Reconciling God, you set a wide table and extend welcome so completely! Forgive us for our habits and fears that set limits You never place. Undo our assumptions and expand our hearts, stretching us to extend invitations to those hungry for welcome, acceptance, and inclusion. Amen
Practicing Our Faith: Fast from Familiar Tables to Make Room for Others
Jesus didn’t just welcome outsiders—He sat with them, ate with them, and built relationships over meals. At least once during Lent, share a meal with someone you wouldn’t normally eat with. Maybe a neighbor you don’t know well, a coworker or classmate you normally pass in the hallway, someone from a different generation, background, or perspective. Sign up for one of the Community Tables
Sharing the Feast: Putting God’s Love in Action
Pay for a stranger’s coffee or meal in a coffeeshop or restaurant
OR Bake or buy a treat to share with a coworker or classmate that you have noticed is often left out.
A simple, unexpected act of generosity can be a reminder to someone that they are seen and worthy of welcome.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever left someone off a guest list because you thought they “didn’t fit in” or wouldn’t meet the expectations of other guests?
Did you have any regrets?
Have you ever been left out of a group or gathering?
How did that make you feel?
How do you decide who belongs and who doesn’t?
Have you ever sat down with someone who was sitting alone and stuck up a conversation?
What did that experience teach you?
What can you do to invite meaning and presence at your table?
Try lighting a candle or having intentional conversation.